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Christopher F. Viozzi, M.D., D.D.S.

  1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Appointments

Christopher F. Viozzi, M.D., D.D.S., is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who cares for people facing complex problems involving the face, jaws, and airway. People often come to Dr. Viozzi with highly individualized needs, and he works closely with them to create a coordinated surgical plan grounded in long‑term function, comfort, and quality of life.

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Viozzi approaches each case with thoughtful preparation and a deep respect for each person’s unique needs, designing surgery around how a person will breathe, speak, chew, and live after their procedure. His clinical focus includes:

  • Cleft lip and palate surgery: Including alveolar cleft grafting, cleft orthognathic surgery, and distraction osteogenesis.
  • Surgery for obstructive sleep apnea: Special expertise in maxillomandibular advancement and approaches tailored to each person's airway structure.
  • Complex orthognathic surgery: Comprehensive corrective jaw procedures for skeletal imbalance and functional challenges.
  • Distraction osteogenesis: Gradual bone-lengthening techniques for craniofacial reconstruction and pediatric or adult facial growth needs.
  • Virtual surgical planning: Digital planning integrated into everyday practice for complex orthognathic and craniofacial surgery, supporting greater surgical precision.
  • Temporomandibular joint reconstruction (TMJ): Total TMJ joint reconstruction to restore comfort, alignment, and jaw function.

Research and Education

In addition to his clinical activities, Dr. Viozzi is active in surgical education and clinical research. He mentors oral and maxillofacial surgery residents and trainees from multiple surgical specialties, helping shape future surgeons who value thoughtful planning, compassion, and excellence in care.

His dedication to global surgical service extends internationally through medical mission trips, where he provides cleft lip and palate care for underserved children. Nationally, Dr. Viozzi serves as a senior examiner for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Viozzi has authored numerous scientific manuscripts and textbook chapters, contributing to a stronger evidence base and better outcomes throughout the specialty.

  1. Cleft lip
  2. Cleft palate
  3. Facial deformity
  4. Facial fracture
  5. Facial injury
  6. Hemifacial microsomia
  7. Malocclusion
  8. Micrognathia
  9. Obstructive sleep apnea
  10. Open bite deformity
  11. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
  12. Pierre Robin syndrome
  1. Alveolar bone grafting
  2. Apertognathia surgery
  3. Bone graft surgery
  4. Bone reconstruction
  5. Chin surgery
  6. Cleft palate repair
  7. Cosmetic jaw surgery
  8. Craniofacial surgery
  9. Distraction osteogenesis
  10. Facial fracture repair
  11. Facial reconstruction
  12. Iliac crest bone graft
  13. Jaw surgery
  14. Mandibular osteotomy
  15. Maxillary osteotomy
  16. Maxillomandibular advancement surgery
  17. Pediatric craniofacial surgery
  18. Reconstructive surgery
  19. Total TMJ replacement
  • Cleft lip and palate surgery including bone grafting
  • Alveolar cleft reconstruction and bone grafting
  • Orthognathic surgery
  • Cleft orthognathic surgery including distraction osteogenesis
  • Surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea
  • Temporomandibular joint surgery including alloplastic total joint reconstruction
  • Facial trauma management and reconstruction
  • Diagnosis and management of maxillofacial pathology
  • Outpatient sedation and anesthesia
  1. 1999
    Resident - Integrated Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAllegheny General Hospital
  2. 1998
    Internship/Residency - General Surgery (PGY I and II)Allegheny General Hospital
  3. 1996
    MDMedical College of Pennsylvania
  4. 1991
    DDSNorthwestern University Dental School
  5. 1985
    BS - Mechanical EngineeringPennsylvania State University

Certifications

  1. 2001
    Oral & Maxillofacial SurgeryAmerican Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2022
    2022 Daniel Laskin Award for Outstanding Manuscript Published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2021American Association Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  2. 2021
    2021 Daniel Laskin Award for Outstanding Manuscript Published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2020American Association Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  3. 2011
    Teacher of the Year Award, Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  4. 2007
    Teacher of the Year Award, Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  5. 1991
    Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor SocietyNorthwestern University Dental School
  6. 1991
    Hodson Memorial Award in Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryNorthwestern University Dental School
  7. 1991
    Outstanding Senior Student AwardNorthwestern University Dental School

Professional memberships

  1. 2025 - 2026
    PresidentMinnesota Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  2. 2024 - 2025
    Vice PresidentMinnesota Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  3. 2023 - 2024
    Secretary and TreasurerMinnesota Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  4. 2022 - 2025
    FellowAmerican College of Surgeons (ACS)
  5. 2022 - 2023
    Anesthesia Liaison to Minnesota State Board of DentistryMinnesota Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  6. 2021 - present
    FellowAmerican College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  7. 2019 - 2022
    Regent MemberAmerican Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  8. 2018 - 2019
    Senior Co-ChairAmerican Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  9. 2017 - 2018
    Junior Co-ChairAmerican Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  10. 2013 - present
    ExaminerAmerican Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  11. 2010 - 2016
    Site VisitorCommission on Dental Accreditation (RRC for US Dental Education Programs)
  12. 2008 - 2009
    ChairSpace Subcommittee, Department of Surgery
  13. 2007 - present
    MemberMinnesota Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  14. 2005 - 2012
    MemberSurgical Electronic Environment Work Group, Mayo Clinic Committees
  15. 2005 - present
    MemberAdult Trauma Performance Improvement Committee, Department of Surgery
  16. 2005 - present
    MemberMinnesota Medical Association
  17. 2005 - 2015
    MemberSurgical Adminstrative Committee, Department of Surgery
  18. 2005
    MemberMayo Clinic Trauma Program Steering Group, Mayo Clinic Trauma Program, Department of Surgery
  19. 2001 - 2031
    DiplomateAmerican Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  20. 2001 - present
    FellowAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.